TOP 10 CHRISTOLOGY RESOURCES
By: Daniel McMillin
The doctrine of Christ is central to the Christian faith as it unveils the nature of God, unravels the saving power of the Gospel, and unlocks the riches of heaven. Here is a list of 10 of my favorite resources on the doctrine of Christ for those who are venturing through the life, nature, and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. Stephen Wellum's God the Son Incarnate: The Doctrine of Christ
The most important resource on Christology in my library is Stephen Wellum’s God the Son Incarnate, which offers the most concise contribution on the subject in the field. In this volume, Wellum introduces the state of Christology and the influence of the Enlightenment period and argues for a Christology “from above.” He then gives a biblical theology of Christology by framing the doctrine of Christ within the broader redemptive-historical narrative and establishes a biblical warrant for Christology today with scriptural data to support the divinity and humanity of Jesus. Finally, he dedicates a portion of his book to the historical development of Christology and the various heresies throughout the centuries.
2. Brandon D. Crowe's Lord Jesus Christ: The Biblical Doctrine of the Person and Work of Christ
Brandon D. Crowe’s The Lord Jesus Christ is a comprehensive contribution on Christology as it lays the foundation for the biblical revelation of Christ’s identity and activity. The most important feature of the volume is the element of biblical theology as Crowe develops the doctrine of Christ within redemption history. Crowe then gives a dogmatic development of Christology by examining key figures throughout church history, as well as their responses to Christological heresies. He then engages with subjects within the realm of systematic theology as he offers a Christ-centered approach to Christian dogmatics. Finally, Crowe offers practical applications of Christology and seven theses on the person and work of Christ that are invaluable for my research.
3. Daniel Treier's Lord Jesus Christ
Daniel Treier’s Lord Jesus Christ engages with the most Christologically enlightening passages in the biblical corpus (Isaiah 7:14; 52:13-53:12; Mark 10:32-45; Luke 4:14-30; 24:13-35; John 1:1-18; Ephesians 1:3-14; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15-29; Hebrews 7:22-8:6; Revelation 21:1-22:5). Treier provides an exegetically sound and theologically rich contribution to the field of Christology. This volume demonstrates how not only can the two realms of biblical studies and systematic theology coexist, but they have the potential to complement one another in an indispensable manner (which is why this text is elevated to the top of my list of resources on Christology).
4. R.B. Jamieson and Tyler R. Wittman's Biblical Reasoning: Christological and Trinitarian Rules for Exegesis
R.B. Jamieson and Tyler R. Wittmann’s Biblical Reasoning provides a hermeneutical paradigm for reading Scripture from a Trinitarian and Christological perspective. The most valuable portion of the volume is the rules for exegesis that give the reader theologically sound guardrails and directions for reasoning through the Scriptures in the “school of Christ.” Three chapters that are crucial to my studies are those dedicated to the doctrines of the incarnation and eternal generation of the Son.
5. Steven Duby's Jesus and the God of Classical Theism: Biblical Christology in Light of the Doctrine of God
Steven Duby’s Jesus and the God of Classical Theism is engulfed in high Christology that is influenced by such lofty theology. This volume refreshingly offers a deeply biblical, historical, and theological examination of Christ within the framework of classical theism. Unreservedly, Duby develops an enriching Christology by engaging with the doctrine of God (otherwise known as “theology proper”). Duby provides an introduction to classical theism and metaphysics, which sets the stage for him to establish a case for the doctrines of eternal generation of the Son, divine election and mission from the Father, incarnation of the Son, dependence on the Spirit, obedience to the Father, and human suffering, all of which is essential to my study of Christology.
6. Robert M. Bowman Jr. and J. Ed Komoszewski's The Incarnate Christ and His Critics: A Biblical Defense
Robert M. Bowman and J. Ed Komoszewski’s The Incarnate Christ and His Critics thoroughly interacts with the various criticisms offered by skeptics and heretics alike by developing one of the most accessible and rigorous defenses of the divinity of Christ available. The acronym “HANDS” (Honors, Attributes, Names, Deeds, and Seat) is the most valuable contribution of the volume that helpfully organizes the five of the strongest arguments on the deity of Christ. The authors’ response to the critics of Christology is crucial for my examination of the subject.
7. Richard Bauckham's Jesus and the God of Israel: God Crucified and Other Studies on the New Testament’s Christology of Divine Identity
Richard Bauckham’s Jesus and the God of Israel is the apex contribution on Trinitarian Monotheism. In this volume, Bauckham identifies Jesus with the God of Israel in the Old Testament, YHWH. In other words, the New Testament Church does not abandon Jewish Monotheism by attributing the names and worship to Jesus as Lord. Bauckham argues Jesus is uniquely included within the “divine identity” and recognized as the God of Israel without replacing Him. His examination of Jewish Monotheism alongside the early church’s view of divine identity Christology is crucial for my research as it offers a high Christology and develops a background for identifying Jesus as Lord.
8. Donald Macleod's Person of Christ
Donald Macleod’s Person of Christ offers a strong case for Nicene-Chalcedonian Christology that allows the reader to affirm the eternal generation (“very God of very God”) and the dual nature, humanity and divinity, (“very God, very man”) of the Son. Macleod is highly influential in Christological conversations and is breathtakingly theological. He enhances the doctrine of Christ by including a dogmatic development of Christology, engaging with historical and contemporary theologians, and offering a model for orthodox Christology. This text is critical as it provides a historical framework to engage with in my research.
9. Robert Letham's The Work of Christ
Robert Letham’s The Work of Christ is pivotal for viewing Christ’s threefold office as prophet, priest, and king, otherwise known as “munus triplex.” The saving work of Christ is central to Letham’s volume as He saves sinners, intercedes for humanity, and discloses God. Letham highlights the necessity of Christ’s saving work within the scheme of redemption as he views it through the lens of union with Christ, justification, and atonement. This volume offers a truly remarkable contribution to the work of Christ that compels me to include it in my research.
10. Thomas F. Torrance's The Incarnation: The Person and Life of Christ
T.F. Torrance’s The Incarnation is an inescapable resource on the hypostatic union that controls the sphere of Christology. Torrance masterfully presents Christ’s two natures with such precision that it makes this resource of the utmost importance to my research. Within this volume, Torrance includes the New Testament’s witness of Christ as well as His self-presentation. He also offers a historical case for the incarnation as he examines the doctrine in the Patristic period, Reformation era, as well as, contemporary scholars. Torrance wonderfully expounds on the mystery of Christ as he basks in the glory of this enchanting paradox.
